The Relationship Between COB LED Strip Wattage and Number of LEDs: A Complete Guide
Why do some LED strips have more LEDs but lower wattage, while others have fewer LEDs yet higher power?Many customers often wonder when selecting LED strips:
“These two strips seem equally bright — why is one 480 LEDs/8W while the other is 320 LEDs/14W?”“Does having more LEDs always mean higher brightness?”
In fact, there’s a little secret behind this, related to the LED chip specifications and power design.
From 320 LEDs to 480 LEDs: The Story Behind the LED Chip Count
Take our own COB LED strips as an example:
Three years ago, the mainstream model on the market was 320 LEDs/14W per meter. At that time, we used 0620 large-size chips — these chips are bigger, can handle higher current, and deliver stronger brightness and higher luminous efficiency per LED.
As a result, even with fewer LEDs per meter, the total power consumption was higher, and the lighting effect was full and bright.
However, with increasing market competition and growing demand for cost control, about 80% of manufacturers have now switched to 0518 or even smaller chips. These smaller chips are more cost-effective; although their individual brightness is lower, manufacturers typically compensate by increasing the number of LEDs and reducing the power per chip to balance brightness and heat generation.
That’s how the 480 LEDs/8W COB LED strip came into existence —More LEDs make the light softer and more uniform, while the lower total wattage means reduced power consumption and a more competitive price.
Large Chips vs. Small Chips: It’s Not About Which Is Better, but About Different Applications
| Comparison Item | Large Chip 0620 (Old Model 320 LEDs/14W) | Small Chip 0518 (New Model 480 LEDs/8W) |
| Single LED Brightness | High | Slightly lower |
| Current Capacity | Strong | Moderate |
| Heat Generation | Higher | Lower |
| Total Power | 14W/m | 8W/m |
| Light Uniformity | Slightly concentrated | Finer and softer |
| Cost | Higher | More economical |
| Ideal Application | High-brightness decoration, commercial spaces, custom projects | Home lighting, retail market |
Stability and Quality Remain Our Bottom Line
Although the 480-LED version has become popular in the market due to its lower power consumption and smoother light effect, we still keep the 320 LEDs/14W large-chip version available — providing an option for customers who prioritize high brightness and high color rendering.
Different chips mean different lighting effects and different positioning.
Our responsibility is to help customers find the one that fits their needs best.
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In short, the number of LEDs and the wattage are not indicators of quality, but reflections of different chip specifications and design concepts.
Whether you prefer the energy-saving 480 LEDs/8W type or the high-brightness 320 LEDs/14W version, we can provide stable, reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
To learn more, get in touch with us!